Enrollment Services

Admission Policy

notifies the applicant of his/her admission status promptly once all necessary documentation/credentials have been received. Questions concerning the admission status of a prospective student should be addressed either by telephone, email, or in writing to the Office of Admissions. Cumberland University is an equal opportunity educational institution and, as such, does not discriminate in the admissions policy on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, race, color, national origin, or physical disability.

Enrollment

1. No student will be allowed to enroll in classes or reside on campus that has an unpaid balance in the Business Office.
2. No student will be allowed to enroll who has been suspended during the preceding semester for any reason from Cumberland University or another academic institution.
3. All persons residing in residence halls must be officially enrolled in at least nine semester hours of college level credit coursework at Cumberland University.

Modifications of these policies must be approved in writing by the appropriate University official and placed in the permanent record of the student.

Admission Statement

Cumberland University admits those applicants whose ability, training, motivation, and interests indicate that they will succeed in college course work. The course of study and quality of work done in high school or college are both taken into consideration when a student applies for admission. The student’s scores on the ACT or the SAT are used as indicators of academic ability and are considered for admission, as well as the student’s personal statement. The personal statement requirements may be found on the admissions application.

Campus Visit

Cumberland University encourages all interested students to visit the campus. Private campus visits are offered Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Anyone who is interested in scheduling a private campus visit should contact the Office of Admissions by phone at 1-800-467-0562 or by email at admissions@cumberland.edu. Cumberland University also hosts seasonal preview day events where all interested students are invited on campus to learn more about Cumberland and its offerings. More information on preview days may be found on the Cumberland University website located at www.cumberland.edu.

Freshmen Registration and Orientation

Freshmen registration and orientation dates are held prior to the start of the Fall Semester. All first-time freshmen must attend one of these sessions and must pay the Freshman Fee ($100) prior to participating. During Freshmen registration sessions, students will receive their Fall class schedule and have the opportunity to meet with an Academic Advisor if schedule adjustments are necessary.

During Freshmen Registration Sessions, students will meet with an Academic Advisor to select their Fall schedule. In addition, new students are introduced to FOCUS (Freshmen Outreach Committed to Uniting Students) students who will assist them with the transition to college life. FOCUS is a select group of upper classmen who serve as guides and mentors to new students. These students assist the Admissions and Student Affairs offices with the new student orientation component of Freshman Registration Sessions.

First-Time Freshmen

1. All students must file an Application for Admission and submit a non-refundable application fee of $25 which must accompany the application form. Students may also apply to the University online at www.cumberland.edu. Students who apply online may pay their application fee online. The application form must have all the appropriate spaces completed. Failure to complete the application form or to submit the $25 application fee will result in a delay in processing and consideration of the application. Paper applications are available in the Cumberland University Office of Admissions or may be requested by calling the Office of Admissions at (615) 547-1224.
2. All students must submit a comprehensive personal statement along with their application. This statement should indicate why the student would like to attend Cumberland University and discuss an attribute he/she possesses that would help create a diverse student body.
3. All students must be graduates of an accredited high school with an academic diploma and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Transcripts from graduates of Tennessee public high schools must provide evidence that the student passed the required Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). Applicants who have a passing score, 450 or higher, on the General Educational Development (GED) Test will also be considered for admission. NOTE : The high school transcript must be a regular or honors diploma. A Special Education Diploma or Certificate of Attendance does not meet this requirement.
4. All students must submit an official score report for an ACT or the SAT. The student must attend an official national testing date for this score to be considered for admission purposes. The minimum scores that are required are a composite score of 21 on the ACT or 980/990 SAT critical reading and math combined score. The official score report must be submitted from the high school or from the ACT or SAT testing agency. ACT or SAT scores that have been manually entered on transcripts or self reported are considered to be unofficial and do not meet the official ACT or SAT score report requirement. This requirement is waived for persons who have graduated five years or more prior to their application to the University or are 25 years of age or older upon the beginning of their first semester at the University.
5. Students with a GPA or ACT/SAT score that does not fit the combination scale will be admitted only upon the recommendation and approval of the Cumberland University Admissions Committee.
6. All students must complete the required immunization form provided by the Office of Admissions. For further information regarding current immunization requirements please contact the Office of Admissions.
7. Any student requesting special consideration or exception to these criteria may address his/her requests to:
   

   Office of Admissions
   Cumberland University
   One Cumberland Square
   Lebanon, TN 37087

8. When all admissions paperwork has been received in the Office of Admissions, the student will be contacted regarding his/her admission status.

Upon admission to Cumberland University, first-time freshmen are required to confirm their position in the Fall class and to submit the one time $100 Freshman Fee. The Freshman Fee should accompany the acceptance of position form and be submitted prior to April 1st. The Freshman Fee must be submitted before Freshmen can attend a Freshmen Registration Session. The Freshman Fee is non-refundable after April 1st.

Dual Enrollment Policy

1. Any qualified high school Junior or Senior may apply to Cumberland University for dual enrollment.
2. Applicants must officially apply to the University and pay the undergraduate application fee.
3. Applicants must provide an official copy of their current high school transcript.
4. Applicants must meet the University’s current admission standards with regards to GPA.
5. Applicants must meet all University application and fee deadlines.
6. Students accepted to the program may earn a maximum of 24 credit hours through dual enrollment. Fees for 6 hours per term of credit will be assessed at the current Dual Enrollment Grant (Hope Scholarship) rate.
7. Fees for additional credit hours (above 6 per term) will be assessed at the current Cumberland University hourly tuition rate.
8. Dual enrollment students on Cumberland University’s campus will participate in regularly scheduled Cumberland University course sections.
9. As space permits, accepted dual enrollment students are eligible to enroll into any 100 or 200 level course for which prerequisites have been met.
10. Dual enrollment students will register after priority registration or with incoming freshmen.
11. Grades posted on high school transcripts may be weighted and therefore differ from the grade on the students Cumberland University transcript. Cumberland grades will not be changed to match the high school transcript.
12. Appeals to this policy may be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
    

    EXCEPTION: Freshmen and Sophomore high school students wishing to apply to Cumberland University for dual enrollment must demonstrate a level of academic achievement and knowledge comparable to the University’s standard admission policy. If minimum GPA and standardized test scores for admission rise, so will the minimum requirements for dual enrollment.

1. High school freshmen and sophomores must provide a documented ACT cumulative score of 22 with no sub-score lower than 20.
2. High school GPA will not be considered since it is difficult to evaluate, and the body of course work for these students is limited.

International Students

International applicants should apply at least six months in advance to allow sufficient time for completion of files and correspondence. No international student will be considered for admission and enrollment at until all official documents have been received and are on file. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make certain all documents are received by the appropriate deadline.

1. All international students must file an Application for Admission and submit a non-refundable application fee of $50, which must accompany the application form. International students may also apply to the University online at www.cumberland.edu. Students who apply online may pay their application fee online. The application form must have all the appropriate spaces completed. Failure to complete the application form or to submit the $50 application fee will result in a delay in processing and consideration of the application.
2. Graduation from an accredited high school is required. All students must submit English translated official transcripts of all secondary work.
3. All students from countries where English is not the native language must demonstrate a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination, 500 or higher on the written exam, 61 or higher on the internet-based exam, or a 173 on the computer-based exam, by submitting an official copy of the TOEFL grade report.
4. All students must submit an affidavit that shows the student has funds for the cost of living and studying at Cumberland University for two semesters on deposit at a financial institution in the United States or a foreign country. An affidavit of support is required each academic year.
5. International students must submit their transcripts to the World Educational Services (WES) or Joseph Silney & Associates, Inc. (JS&A) for translation, evaluation, and to provide a cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. An original copy of the WES or JS&A evaluation must be on file before the student is considered for admission. Minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 for freshmen is required for secondary work. All students who wish to transfer from another college or university must have a cumulative GPA for 2.0 or better to qualify for undergraduate admission.
6. ACT or SAT examinations are required for freshman or transfer students who have less than 30 hours of college work. The minimum scores that are required are a composite score of 21 on the ACT or 980/990 SAT critical reading and math combined score. The official score report must be submitted from the high school or from the ACT or SAT testing agency.
7. Students who have completed a thirteenth year in a secondary (high) school must take and pass College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations to receive college credit for courses taken in that thirteenth year.
8. All international students must enroll in health and accident insurance approved by Cumberland University and provide evidence of appropriate insurance. The Designated School Official (DSO) will assist in locating an agent to supply such service.
9. All students must complete the required immunization form provided by the Office of Admissions. For further information regarding current immunization requirements please contact the Office of Admissions.
10. All international students are required to pay an international fee of $75 each semester.

Once it determines the student has been accepted for admission, the University will then issue a Certificate of Eligibility for non-immigrant “F-1” student status (1-20). Part-time and transient students must meet the same requirements as outlined above; in addition to paying the total cost of course work at the time of registration.

Non-Traditional Students

Cumberland University’s admissions policy extends to non-traditional students, as well as to recent high school and community/junior college graduates. Non-traditional students are defined as individuals who are at least 25 years of age. Non-traditional students having no college work are required to submit a high school transcript verifying a high school diploma and/or passing scores on the GED. Non-traditional students having college credit must submit transcripts of all previous college work. Non-traditional students are subject to the same admissions requirements as all other freshmen and transfer applicants.

Transfer Student Information

All students who wish to transfer from another college or university to Cumberland University must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better to qualify for admission. Transfer students who have previously passed fewer than 30 semester hours at other institutions must submit high school transcripts or General Education Development (GED) Test scores, plus ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students must be eligible to re-enter the school from which they are transferring.

All students who wish to transfer from another college or university to must submit official transcripts from every college/university that he/she has attended.

Transfer Credit

Normally, Cumberland University accepts transfer credits from all institutions of higher learning that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, or a similar body of a recognized regional accrediting agency. Students transferring from colleges and/or universities outside the must have their transcripts evaluated by World Educational Services, Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, (1800-937-3895). For transfer credits to be accepted, they must appear on an official sealed transcript of the institution granting the credits. The following policies apply to acceptance of transfer credit:

1. No more than 90 total semester hours of transfer credit from all institutions will be accepted toward completion of a baccalaureate degree at Cumberland University.
2. A maximum of 70 semester hours may be accepted for transfer credit from a junior and/or community college.
3. At least 25% of the upper division (300-400 numbered courses) degree requirements must be earned at Cumberland University.
4. A student transferring into Cumberland University must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.00 scale.
5. Only courses in which a “C” or higher has been earned may be accepted for transfer credit.
6. Developmental and remedial classes taken at institutions other than Cumberland University will not be accepted.
7. Cumberland University reserves the right to determine course equivalency regarding acceptance of transfer academic credits.
8. Cumberland University does not automatically accept transfer credit for Advanced Placement Exams, CLEP, PEP, or DANTES from another institution. Cumberland University reserves the right to request and review original scores before granting credit for any type of examination. Scores from any examination must meet Cumberland University’s standards for credit. Cumberland University’s minimum scores for credit for examination can be found in other sections of the Cumberland University Undergraduate Catalog.

Transient Students

A transient student enrolled in another college who wishes to take a course(s) at Cumberland, transferring credit to the college regularly attended, may do so by obtaining a Statement of Permissions and of Good Standing from the Dean or Registrar of the college he/she has been attending. This statement must arrive prior to the official University registration period and should specify the course(s) that may be taken by the transient student to submit the same documentation as a student applying for Regular Admission. Cumberland University will not provide academic counseling for transient students or guarantee the appropriateness of course work taken here to the degree being sought by the student elsewhere.

Alternative Methods for Earning University Credit

After enrollment at , students may be awarded credit toward their university degree through methods other than course work. Examples include Advanced Placement credit, Experiential Learning credit, credit by examination, credit for outstanding ACT scores, and military credit. Any one example or combination thereof may not total more than 25% of the total number of credits submitted for a degree. This credit is not calculated for purposes of admission to and is apart from any transferred credit awarded during the admission process for courses completed at other institutions.

Students currently enrolled at must file and Academic Appeal for Transient Permission to receive credit for transfer coursework earned after enrollment. This coursework is evaluated according to ’s transfer credit policy.

Credit will not be awarded for any exam or course content for which a student has previously received credit or if a student has previously completed advanced study beyond the level to be covered by the exam. If an exam or its articulated content is repeated, credit will only be awarded for the second taking. Evaluation of credit earned by alternative methods is based on articulated equivalencies in effect at the time the credit is requested. General guidelines for alternative credit types accepted by the University are described below.

ACT Credit

Cumberland University recognizes outstanding performance on the ACT examination by awarding credit for certain scores on the English and Math portions of the exam (and the corresponding score on the SAT). The criteria are:

ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)

The ACTFL is for students who have successfully completed two or more years of Spanish on the high school level. The fee is the responsibility of the student taking the exam and Cumberland University faculty will determine the appropriate hours of Foreign Language Credit based on the students’ test score. Current rates as of 2011-2012 are as follows:

1. Certified ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) costs $134.00. The Certified Oral Proficiency Interview is administered telephonically by an ACTFL certified tester, double rated, and digitally recorded. Ratings are available within two weeks. The oral test lasts 30 minutes.
2. Certified ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) costs $65.00. The certificate WPT test is available via internet or in booklet form and is rated by two ACTFL certified raters. Ratings are available within two weeks. The WPT is a 90 minute test consisting of 4 out of 5 questions designed to elicit paragraph formed responses. It is entirely human rated.

CEEB Advanced Placement (AP)

Cumberland University participates in the Advanced Placement program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) and credit is granted by the appropriate semester hours of credit to qualified freshmen students presenting an official record of a grade of three or above on the appropriate Advanced Placement examination. Semester hour credit in the amount carried by the course or courses from which the student is exempted by the examination will be awarded. Credit by examination may not total more than 30 credit hours (or 25% of the total credits) submitted for a degree.

Cumberland does not automatically accept transfer credit for Advanced Placement Exams, CLEP, PEP, or DANTES from another institution. reserves the right to request and review the original scores before granting credit for any type of examination. Scores from any examination must meet ’s standard for credit. ’s minimum scores for credit for examination can be found below:

Credit by Examination

Up to 30 semester hours of CLEP or DANTES subject examinations will be accepted toward a degree at Cumberland University, as long as the total for credit by examination and correspondence credit does not exceed 25% of the total number of credits submitted for a degree and if the student is not enrolled in his or her last 30 semester hours before graduation. Cumberland University accepts the American Council of Education’s recommended score on a scaled score of 50 for granting credit for courses (except for level two of foreign languages, which require the following scores: French 62; German 63; Spanish 66). is a closed . Please visit the Cumberland University website for additional CLEP examination information or contact the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC).

*NOTE: To receive credit for ENG 102 – Freshman Composition II by CLEP Examination, a student must:

1. Pass the CLEP Examination in English Composition
2. Satisfactorily complete two writing assignments to be created and evaluated by the English faculty of Cumberland University.

To be eligible to take a CLEP Examination, a student must not have been enrolled in the class for which the student wants to receive credit for a period of time longer than the drop date to receive a grade of “W” (the student must have dropped the class before he/she would have received a grade of “WP” or “WF”). CLEP tests may be repeated within the guidelines of the College Level Examination Program.

Cumberland grants university credit in select courses to students who pass a comprehensive examination. Students seeking credit by special examination will be tested over all components of the course. All credit by special examination is governed by the following guidelines:

1. A student can earn a maximum of 30 semester hours by a combination of Advanced Placement testing, DANTES testing, CLEP testing and testing by special examination.
2. The student will be charged a fee of $100.00 for each examination.

Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES)

Students who submit official score reports showing they have earned the minimum required score, as determined by Cumberland University, on DANTES exams considered by Cumberland University to be university-level, will be awarded elective or articulated credit toward their degree.

Experiential Learning Credit

Credit may be awarded in some instances for experiential learning, learning acquired through non-college experience prior to entering or returning to the pursuit of a college degree. Experiential learning may result from such activities as work experience, volunteer work, community service, travel abroad or internationally, or military experience. Students interested in prior learning assessment should contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs. In most cases the assessment will entail development of an extensive, detailed portfolio, course(s), and specific examination(s). Some fees may apply to these instruments of evaluation. No conversion credit may be awarded if the student is enrolled in the last 30 semester hours before graduation, and conversion credit will not be placed on a student’s transcript until payment for credit hours awarded is received. Payment will not be accepted until the semester of graduation, at which time the experiential learning credit will be posted on the transcript. Any credit toward a degree earned in this manner will be designated as experiential learning credit. Conversion credit is awarded only for a degree from Cumberland University and not to exceed 30 credit hours.

Military Education Credit

The American Council on Education Guide will be used to determine the number of semester credit hours which may be awarded for military courses. No military credit will be placed on the student’s transcript until payment of conversion credit fee ($65 per hour) is received. Military education credit cannot exceed 30 credit hours of the total credit hours awarded for a degree at Cumberland University.